The United Kingdom (UK) has announced sanctions on four Zimbabwean security officials over alleged human rights abuses, especially those that occurred following the country’s 2018 general elections.
Announcing this through a statement, the United Kingdom (UK) as part of a new sanction regime following its exit from the European Union, on Monday, cited a crackdown on protests in January 2019 which killed 17, and post-election violence in 2018, as it introduced the sanctions regarding Zimbabwe. A move that will restrict travels to Britain and freeze the assets of those affected.
Those Affected
The four Zimbabwe officials are National Security minister Owen Ncube; Isaac Moyo, Director General of the Central Intelligence Organisation; Godwin Matanga, Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police; and Anselem Sanyatwe, Commander of the Presidential Guard and Tactical Commander of the National Reaction Force.
The Allegations
The officials are accused of being responsible for the deaths of 17 Zimbabweans in January 2019, when the army attacked protesters marching against a hefty fuel price hike. They were also allegedly complicit in soldiers opening fire on unarmed demonstrators who were protesting against a delay in election results in August 2018, killing six.
“These targeted sanctions hold to account those responsible for the worst human rights violations against the people of Zimbabwe since President Emmerson Mnangagwa took power in 2017,” the government said in a statement.
Zimbabwe Reacts
Reacting to the news, government spokesman Nick Mangwana wrote on Twitter that none of the four sanctioned Zimbabwe officials have assets in the UK, nor have they showed any interest in travelling there in the last three years.
Effects on the average Zimbabwean
While they have been speculations surrounding the impact these sanctions might have on everyday people in the country, the UK insists that it only targets errant leaders.
“UK sanctions are targeted measures,” said James Duddridge, the UK minister for Africa. “They don’t target ordinary citizens nor are they intended to impact the wider economy of Zimbabwe. The UK is committed to tackling poverty and supporting genuine political and economic reform for the Zimbabwean people.”
